100 Shades of Diverse Abilities L3C
Brilliant Champion of Service
As an honorably discharged Navy Veteran, Dr. Kimberly Kennedy-Barrington suffers from military-related PTSD. She has faced the hardships of homelessness, domestic abuse, five head surgeries, thyroid cancer and a stroke, which made her a wheelchair user nine years ago. Kimberly had two surgeries requiring removal of her teeth and part of her jaw bones due to a rare bone disorder and she is visually and hearing impaired. These experiences have been the catalyst to her greatest achievement: her will to live beyond human conditions so that she may advocate systemically to improve the quality of life for persons within her sphere of influence. Kimberly has changed the lives of many through random acts of kindness, such as, “paying a person's grocery bill … ; giving new shoes to someone who had holes in theirs; paying people’s rent; … and creating and providing more than 1,000 Personal Protection Kits for small business owners and churches during the pandemic.” Kimberly says, “I believe when you agree to make decisions based on the most excluded, you have included everyone.”
Dr. Kimberly Kennedy-Barrington
- Details
- Category: Brilliance Awards Finalists 2022
From this issue
Kathleen B. Vogelsang, CFA, is a true believer in remembering where you come from. A first-generation college graduate and non-traditional student, she earned her MBA and CFA designation while raising three children and working full-time. “I started out from very humble beginnings, nothing came easy,” Vogelsang said. “I was the first one in my family to go to college and paid my own way through, starting with community college. I don't ever want to lose sight of who I am; I'm still just humble little me—no matter how many awards I get. [What matters] is who I am … someone who’s trying to do the right thing and be a good person.”
Shelley Irwin is the Host and Producer for The Shelley Irwin Show, a newsmagazine talk-show on the local NPR WGVU affiliate Monday through Friday. She also hosts several public affairs TV programs and is award-winning in her profession and beyond. Irwin also gives generously of her time, volunteering with various community organizations. In addition, she’s represented the U.S. in Long Distance Triathlon and Duathlon World Championships. Irwin is the fourth recipient of the West Michigan Woman Legacy of Brilliance Award, an honor created as part of the annual Brilliance Awards, which recognizes a woman who for years has given of herself, personally and professionally, to better the lives of those around her. We caught up with Irwin to get her perspective on her work and what advice she has for others.
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